HBO Max is Working on Two European Medical Dramas Inspired by ‘The Pitt’
HBO Max is expanding its portfolio with new medical dramas set in France and Italy, drawing inspiration from the acclaimed series The Pitt. This information was shared at the Series Mania event, where executives revealed that these projects have been in development prior to the success of The Pitt.
Aubrey, speaking at the event, expressed HBO Max’s desire to discover international series that resonate with audiences, similar to The Pitt, which was crafted by John Wells, R. Scott Gemmill, and Noah Wyle. She emphasized that it is the creators’ passion for storytelling that drives the development process.
“To me, that’s the model to emulate,” Aubrey stated. “Take a genre and a set of characters audiences feel very familiar with and want in their homes every week, and overlay that with a creator who is really excited to tell a specific story authentically. Then you get something special that is also popular.”
The new medical dramas, which are set in and around hospitals in Italy and France, are currently in preliminary stages, according to Aubrey. “They’re on the runway, but there’s nothing to report yet,” she noted.
The Pitt, which launched its second season in January, has already garnered significant acclaim, winning three Emmys, including Outstanding Drama. The show has been recognized for its compelling characters navigating the complexities of a relatable profession, with Aubrey noting that it showcases the heroes needed in today’s world.
“The hospital genre provides very good stakes and complications,” she added. “It wasn’t that we said we wanted a medical show, but John, Noah, and Scott came to us with a medical story they wanted to tell.”
During her address at Series Mania, Aubrey also highlighted other successful international productions like the telenovela Scars of Beauty, Polish drama Eastern Gate, and the Italian series Portobello. She announced a first-look deal with Domingo Corral, the former head of content at Movistar, and provided a glimpse into an upcoming German crime series based on the Struwwelpeter books.
The Struwwelpeter series, in development by Dark creators Jantje Friese and Baran Bo Odar, is a thriller inspired by the 19th-century German children’s book. It follows the hunt for a killer whose murders are inspired by the book’s stories. Filming is currently taking place in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt, featuring actors Lisa Vicari and Peter Kurth in key roles.
Anke Greifeneder, VP of Original Production for HBO Max in GSE and France, highlighted the series’ potential, stating, “The stories of Struwwelpeter have unsettled generations of children far beyond Germany’s borders. In our series, they become a brutal reality.”
Friese and Odar expressed their intrigue with the concept, noting, “What struck us most was the way he uses the genre to explore something profoundly intimate: the fragile relationship between being raised and being a parent.”
As HBO Max looks to the future, Aubrey addressed the ongoing commitment from Paramount, emphasizing their dedication to producing quality content. “David Ellison has articulated a real commitment to supporting specifically HBO, but frankly all the content,” she remarked, noting the company’s long-term intentions in the industry.
